The 6 glorious beaches you can reach by train from Tunbridge Wells …
KentLive[1] readers love beaches[2] and many have the absolute joy of living near them. But what if you live in Tunbridge Wells[3] and don't have the use of a car?
We have brought together this list of six fantastic beaches you can get to by Southeastern trains[4] from Tunbridge Wells in under 2hrs 30mins. The fastest journey on our list is to beautiful Folkestone, which is just 1hr 35mins and only one change is needed.
And the change is early on in Tonbridge, so once you have switched over, you can sit back and relax, and dream of sunshine and sand.
The weather forecast from the Met Office currently looks stunning for the Kent coast on Friday (May 19) - how does full sunshine from 7am until 7pm sound? Most of the beaches we have listed are a short walk from the railway station.
When you look at the cost of the fares, remember to factor in you will be saving on fuel and parking - and the stress of driving. Not to mention is better for the environment.
Broadstairs
Starting strong with "Kent's best beach"[6] is Broadstairs, in Thanet. With golden sands and stunning bays, this popular beach is well worth a visit.
Viking Bay Beach in Broadstairs (Image: Darko Mlinarevic/Getty Images)
2hr 30min - two changes. £31.10
7.59am to arrive 10.29am
How to get there from the rail station: You can catch the loop bus (45) from the railway station to Viking Bay, which is every 10 minutes. It only takes six minutes.
Or, you could walk from the High Street the half-a-mile to the bay, which should take you around eight minutes.
Broadstairs beach Viking Bay and how to get there from Broadstairs railway station (Image: Google Maps)
Deal
An increasingly-popular choice for holidaymakers is beautiful Deal[7]. It has been named as the most charming coastal town close to London[8] beating the likes of Bournemouth and Southend.
Deal is a bit of a showstopper when it comes to a good old-fashioned day beside the seaside (Image: Dover Express)
2hr 20 mins - two changes. £31.10
8.10am to arrive at 10.30am
How to get there from the rail station: It is a five minutes' walk from Deal railway station to the seafront, as it is just under a third of a mile.
Head to Queen Street and near the end just turn left into Middle Street and you'll come out close to the pier. No buses are listed.
Deal Beach and how to get there from the Southeastern railway station (Image: Google Maps)
Folkestone
Next up is trendy Folkestone, which has made national (even international) headlines for its unique arty revival. Boasting one of the best foodie destinations right on the seafront,[9] Folkestone is well worth a visit.
Folkestone's Sunny Sands beach is a popular destination (Image: Oast House Archive/Creative Commons)
1hr 35mins - one change. £25.70
8.10am to arrive at 9.35am. *Take train to Folkestone Central
How to get there from the rail station: It is around a 1.1 miles' walk across town from Folkestone Central to Folkestone Beach, head to Castle Hill Avenue, so should take you around 21 minutes.
If you want to catch a bus, take the 10 or 70, from Kingsnorth Gardens. It takes 20 minutes and there is a bus every 30 minutes. Just ask for Folkestone Beach.
Folkestone Beach and and how to get there from Folkestone railway station (Image: Google Maps)
Herne Bay
It may not have the best reputation, but Herne Bay is far better than some strange reviews. In fact we can tell you all the reasons why it's actually a fantastic place to visit right here[10].
Photo taken in Herne Bay (Image: Getty Images)
2hr 26min - two changes. £31.50
8.40am to arrive 11.06am
How to get there from the rail station: It is 0.7 miles to the beach, which should take you around 13minutes. You will come out not far from the pier. Head for Pier Avenue.
If it is a bus you want, take the 6 from the railway station, which runs every 10 minutes and takes just nine minutes. Again, just ask for Herne Bay.
Herne Bay beach and how to get there from Herne Bay railway station (Image: Google Maps)
Margate
Kent's postcard holiday hotspot Margate is a popular choice for beach lovers due to its expansive sands with lots to do. The town itself is also an up-and-coming destination with plenty of quirky spots to explore.[11]
Margate has been named among the best places to visit in 2023 a number of times (Image: PA)
2hr 24min - two changes. £31.50
7.59am to arrive 10.23am
How to get there from the rail station: Another nice short walk from a railway station to the beach. It is 0.2 miles from the station which should take you just five minutes.
Head for Station Approach, then take a right along the A28 then cross at the lights and you're there.
Margate Beach and and how to get there from Margate railway station (Image: Google Maps)
Ramsgate
Another great choice is the lovely Ramsgate, and while the main sands may not be as picture-perfect as some of Thanet's other beaches, it does have a stunning marina. And if that doesn't sell it you - it's home to the UKs biggest Wetherspoons!
Hundreds of people were enjoying Ramsgate beach in the warm weather (Image: Kent Live)
1hr 56mins - one change. £31.10
8.40am to arrive 10.36am
How to get there from the rail station: Catch the loop bus to the beach, which runs every 10 minutes from Kings Road near the station. It takes 19 minutes.
Or, if you want to walk, it is 1.1 miles, so should take you around 21 minutes.
Ramsgate Beach and and how to get there from Ramsgate railway station (Image: Google Maps)
Get more news about Kent's beaches from KentLive straight to your inbox for free HERE[12]
References
- ^ KentLive (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ beaches (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Tunbridge Wells (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Southeastern trains (www.southeasternrailway.co.uk)
- ^ I spent a morning in Kent’s best seaside town and totally get the hype (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ "Kent's best beach" (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ is beautiful Deal (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ the most charming coastal town close to London (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Boasting one of the best foodie destinations right on the seafront, (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ it's actually a fantastic place to visit right here (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ with plenty of quirky spots to explore. (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ HERE (data.reachplc.com)